Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Shortcat VS cVim

Compare Shortcat VS cVim and see what are their differences

Shortcat logo Shortcat

Keep your hands on the keyboard and boost your productivity! Shortcat is a keyboard tool for Mac OS X that lets you 'click' buttons and control your apps with a few keystrokes. Think of it as Spotlight for the user interface.

cVim logo cVim

An extension adding Vim-like bindings to Google Chrome.
  • Shortcat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-28
  • cVim Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-29

Shortcat features and specs

  • Efficiency
    Shortcat allows users to quickly find and execute commands using keyboard shortcuts, minimizing the need for mouse usage and speeding up workflow.
  • Accessibility
    By reducing reliance on the mouse, Shortcat makes it easier for individuals with mobility impairments to navigate macOS applications.
  • Customization
    Users have the ability to customize shortcuts and create their own workflows, tailoring the tool to their specific needs and preferences.
  • Integration
    Shortcat integrates seamlessly with most macOS applications, allowing for a consistent user experience across different software environments.
  • Learning Curve
    The tool is relatively easy to learn for those familiar with keyboard shortcuts, providing intuitive guidance and help features.

Possible disadvantages of Shortcat

  • Limited Platform
    Shortcat is only available for macOS, leaving out Windows and Linux users who might benefit from similar functionality.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with certain applications, reducing the effectiveness of the tool in specific contexts.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who are not accustomed to using keyboard shortcuts, there might be a steeper learning curve that could initially slow down productivity.
  • Reliability
    In some cases, users may encounter bugs or glitches, which can interrupt workflows and undermine confidence in the tool's reliability.
  • Cost
    As a premium software, Shortcat requires a purchase, which might be a barrier for users looking for a free alternative.

cVim features and specs

  • Keyboard-Centric Navigation
    cVim allows users to navigate web pages using only the keyboard, improving efficiency and speed for those familiar with Vim commands.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize key bindings and commands to suit their personal preferences, enhancing the browsing experience tailored to individual needs.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, cVim allows users to modify the source code to add features or tweak existing ones, fostering community contributions and improvements.
  • Integration with Vim Workflow
    For users already accustomed to Vim, cVim offers seamless integration with their existing workflow, reducing the learning curve when switching from text editing to web browsing.
  • Lightweight Extension
    cVim is a lightweight extension that doesn't heavily tax system resources, ensuring browser performance is maintained.

Possible disadvantages of cVim

  • Initial Learning Curve
    New users or those unfamiliar with Vim may find the commands and navigation style challenging to learn and remember.
  • Limited Graphical Interface
    cVim focuses on keyboard navigation and lacks a graphical interface for settings, which might deter users who prefer visual configuration.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There may be compatibility issues with certain websites or web applications that don't handle keyboard shortcuts well.
  • Maintenance and Updates
    As an open-source project, cVim may lack regular updates and maintenance, potentially leading to bugs or incompatibilities with newer browser versions.
  • Feature Limitations
    While highly customizable, cVim might not support every custom feature users desire without manual code modification.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Shortcat and cVim)
Text Editors
72 72%
28% 28
Web Browsers
73 73%
27% 27
Web Development Tools
67 67%
33% 33
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Shortcat and cVim. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Shortcat seems to be a lot more popular than cVim. While we know about 32 links to Shortcat, we've tracked only 1 mention of cVim. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Shortcat mentions (32)

  • Show HN: My LLM CLI tool can run tools now, from Python code or plugins
    Do local multimodal llms have low latency? If it can plug into monitor video stream and the accessibility representation of UI (like Shortcat), it could answer if a printer is connected to the computer and preview a full page print and wait for us to hit print. https://shortcat.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 days ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    Shortcat basically does this. It indexes a lot of native AX APIs and also menu items https://shortcat.app. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • macOS Tips and Tricks
    I love Shortcat (https://shortcat.app/). It lets you do almost anything on your screen without having to leave your keyboard. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • A mouseless tale: trying for a keyboard-driven desktop
    You might be thinking of [Shortcat](https://shortcat.app). I've been using it for a while and it mostly works but doesn't seem as polished as Homerow. Going to give that one a try now. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Nyxt: The Hacker's Browser
    This is a timely coincidence for me. I started using yesterday Shortcat [1] for the Mac, and I'm very pleased. It gives you access to pretty much everything with the keyboard, not just the browser. To be fair, Nyxt provides other features such as scripting. [1] https://shortcat.app/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
View more

cVim mentions (1)

  • MacOS tools to make your life easier
    Yeah I used to use a chrome extension (https://github.com/1995eaton/chromium-vim) but winded up having too many bugs and stopped using it. Once I discovered shortcat I never looked back. Source: over 1 year ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Shortcat and cVim, you can also consider the following products

Vimium - The Hacker's Browser.

Vimac - Like Vimium but for macOS.

Vieb - Browse the web with Vim-bindings

hunt-n-peck - Simple vimium/vimperator style navigation for Windows applications based on the UI Automation...

Tridactyl - Replace Firefox's default control mechanism with one modelled on the one true editor, Vim.

VimMotion - Brings vim-easymotion to macOS.